A former executive at al-Jazeera English seeking substantial compensation from the network has had her claim of discrimination dismissed by a London employment tribunal.

Jo Burgin: 'I'm disappointed but I do not regret pursuing this case.' Photograph: Graham Turner

Jo Burgin, former head of planning at the Doha-based channel in Qatar, was seeking compensation from al-Jazeera for alleged discrimination on the grounds of sex, race and religion following the non-renewal of her contract in April 2007.

The central London tribunal, which heard days of evidence in the case at the start of last month, informed the parties yesterday of its unanimous judgment dismissing claims discrimination made by Burgin.

"I'm disappointed but I do not regret pursuing this case," Burgin told MediaGuardian.co.uk.

"I was treated shabbily by a cavalier company. Al-Jazeera's new managing director has since admitted there is a bullying management culture within the company and he's demanded changes. I hope my case guarantees al-Jazeera's employees will in future be treated with dignity and respect," she added.

Anas Al Merstani, head of al-Jazeera's legal department, said: "We are naturally pleased with the outcome which now publicly clears al-Jazeera's name of any discrimination against Ms Burgin.

"On the contrary as a global organisation with bureaux and offices in over 60 countries it has been one of our guiding principles to employ people from all walks of life and we continually endeavour to provide a fair, diverse, stimulating and challenging workplace for all of our staff."

Burgin was employed at the channel's headquarters between 2005 and 2007.

She brought claims of discrimination after complaining that she had effectively been dismissed when her two-year, fixed-term contract was not renewed in April 2007, soon after the channel's launch.

Despite being employed in the Arabian Gulf, Burgin was allowed to pursue her case in the UK as she was employed on an English contract.

It emerged at a case management hearing in May that Burgin was seeking compensation potentially in excess of £1m.

Al-Jazeera English is a spin-off from the main al-Jazeera Arabic-language news channel.

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